CHARLOTTE -- Firefighters served as special guests Friday on one local Spanish-language radio show. They were there to inform the Hispanic community about some of the dangers they might face.

With just a handful of bilingual firefighters, having Eddie Medina talk about the importance of smoke detectors and the dangers of carbon monoxide grabbed listeners' attention.

"We want to keep them informed,” said Edgar Saucedo, general manager of La Tremenda. “We want them to learn."

Saucedo says every few months he books public service officials as guests to help bridge the cultural gap.

"We know there's a lot of people that used to do different things back in Mexico or other countries where we came from and we don't think it's risky for us or our health," he explained.

But Medina has seen it up close. He says he's responded to about 200 carbon monoxide related calls this year because many Latinos use unconventional ways to keep warm. He talked about where to find detectors and how important it is to change batteries at least twice a year.

"The best time to do it is this weekend, daylight saving time," he said.

Medina also discussed the statewide burning ban that remains in effect due to high winds, drought and dry weather.